Get to know a candle brand: Cotton and Wax
I went to college in Fredericksburg, VA. I met my husband there, interned for the local paper, and spent lots of time wandering through its charming downtown. So I was thrilled to discover Cotton and Wax, a small batch handmade candle company out of Fredericksburg.
Cotton and Wax candles are made from 100% soy wax from the USA, cotton-core wicks, and infused with a blend of fragrance oils and essential oils. Their understated amber glass votives are the size of a small mug of tea, the perfect size for gift-giving, “to your sister specifically,” my little sister decided.
I received two scents: Oakmoss Fig Amber and Blue Ridge Campfire, each of which found their number one fans in my sister and my husband. My sister loved the sophisticated blend of fresh, earthy scents in Oakmoss Fig Amber, while my husband pronounced Blue Ridge Campfire’s rich smoky wood scent as “the ultimate mandle.” There was certainly a divide in my family over this pair of candles—while the women loved the former (with comments like “it smells like a five-star hotel”), the men all preferred the smoky latter.
With that feedback in mind, I took photos of Blue Ridge Campfire in a wood-paneled bar, framed by my father’s liquor (he said the candle’s smell reminded him a bit of the taste of scotch). Meanwhile, I was unable to retrieve Oakmoss Fig Amber from its adoring fanbase, so I’ll have to buy another. Despite not being pictured, it looks exactly the same—the appearance, at least, is unisex.
I can feel good about my upcoming purchase because every time you buy a candle from Cotton and Wax, it helps out a local shelter dog. Ten percent of all profits go toward animal rescue. Additionally, the husband and wife team behind Cotton and Wax donate their free time to volunteering for the Fredericksburg Regional SPCA. On the Cotton and Wax blog, you can meet some of the dogs they work with.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: when you’re burning a cotton wick, it’s especially important to keep the wick trimmed to 1/4 of an inch before lighting it again to avoid sparks or pops. Cotton and Wax sells their own wick trimmer to encourage you to do so. Make it a New Year’s resolution to burn candles more safely!
Additionally, Cotton and Wax sends tea candle samplers with every order, which allowed me to get a better picture of their offerings. Both Oakmoss Fig Amber and Blue Ridge Campfire are bestsellers, but I’d like to give the spicy-smelling Red Current Clove some love.
Have you ever tried a Cotton and Wax candle? Which candle brand do you think I should I review next?